Container construction and use



July 28, 1970 A, nuss c 3,521,675

CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION AND USE Filed Nov. 8, 1968 INVENTOR. JOSEPH A.DUSSICH ATTORNEYS United States Patent O US. Cl. 138103 11 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A unique elongated container construction isdisclosed wherein a pleated or folded tube is clamped at spacedintervals in order to permit filling of the container and yet leavesufficient material for subsequent enclosure. This construction iscoupled to novel apparatus and processes for packaging predeterminedquantities of material.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is generally concerned withthe packaging of products that can be force filled into a receptacle.More particularly, the invention concerns packaging of discretequantities of material without requiring metered dispensing.

Forced filling as contemplated herein, refers to any techniques wherethe material being filled into a receptacle exerts a force against thereceptacle. Extrusion filling clearly satisfies this definition. Inaddition, it is intended to include filling arrangements wherein theWeight of the material alone applies the force, as in the case ofgravity loading from a hopper.

There are many products which can effectively be packaged by forcedfilling of containers. These products range from food items such assausages to large bulk items such as agricultural produce. In almost allinstances, it is desirablo to provide packages or units having uniformdimensions and containing a predetermined quantity of material.Obviously, it is desirable to automatically provide a finished packagedproduct at the output of the machine. This invention is specificallydirected to packaging techniques involving the use of elongatedcontainers which are subsequently subdivided and sealed to yieldindividual packages.

Among the important features in the handling of products of the naturedescribed, is the utilization of labor. Although the packaging of someproducts can be completely automated, others require the employment ofmanual labor for such steps as the final sealing of each package.Generally, when individual packages are created from one large unitarycontainer it requires that the rate of filling be exactly synchronizedwith the rate of package handling by the operator or succeedingapparatus. However, efficient use of machines and operators makes itpreferable to have the filling rate substantially independent of thepackage handling rate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART With respect to the larger produce handlingpackaging techniques heretofore known, it will be recognized that ingeneral these techniques do not involve the continuous force filling oflarge containers that are subsequently subdivided. Rather, in thepackaging of bulk items, it is conventional to fill individual packagesand handle them on a one-by-one basis.

On the other hand, in the handling of foodstuffs, such as sausages, itis conventional to extrude the sausage meat into casings which aresubsequently tied off at prearranged intervals. Existing sausagehandling equipment includes means for extruding metered charges offilling material into a tubular casing which has been previouslylongitudinally compressed or shirred over a filling horn.

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The metered charges are subsequently separated automatically by tyingoff the spaces therebetween. Operator intervention is not necessary inthis packaging process; however, the automatic tie-off operation must besynchronized with the extrusion process in order to permit itscontinuous functioning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a unique containerconstruction primarily adapted for use with a packaging processinyolving the force filling of compressed elongated containers and thesubsequent creation of individual packages having predeterminedquantities of material. The novel container of the invention cooperateswith special apparatus suitable for use therewith in carrying out aunique packaging process.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved elongated containerfor receiving force fed material.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved elongatedcontainer for receiving force fed material which contains self-meteringmeans whereby packages of predetermined dimensions and quantities ofmaterial may be formed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved elongatedcontainer for receiving force fed material which is suitable for usewith existing extrusion equipment.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedelongated container facilitating the successive filling of a pluralityof preliminary package units without requiring completion of individualpackaging until some subsequent time.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved elongatedcontainer initially axially compressed, and adapted for axial expansionduring filling.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved elongatedcontainer having selected portions thereof secured to prevent axialextension.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a unique elongatedcontainer having at least one end open. The container is longitudinallycompressed by folding, pleating, shirring, or the like. At predeterminedpositions along the length of the compressed container, clamping meanssecure a plurality of folds against axial extension. This clamping meansprevents the extension of a predetermined length of the container duringfilling and this length of material is subsequently available foreifecting transverse seals. The material between clamping means is ofthe length required to store or receive a particular volume of thefilling material.

The containers embodying the invention are particularly useful inconjunction with a filling process including the steps of providing theelongated container with clamped areas and unclamped areas alternatingalong the length thereof, and forcing material into the container,thereby extending the unclamped areas. After one or more unclamped areasis filled, the clamping means may be removed and a transverse seal maybe effected in the area thus released.

In employing the container of the invention, there may be providedunique apparatus for the force filling operation. The container isinitially axially compressed over the discharge part of the apparatus.Restraining means function to permit individual folds of the compressedcontainer to gradually extend under the filling force without openingthe clamped folds of the container.

The above objects of the invention, as well as others not specificallyrecited, Will be more fully appreciated from the following detaileddescription which is made in conjunction with the drawings. Thisdetailed description will also bring out the the unique features andadvantages of the invention.

3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a containeraccording to one embodiment of the invention being filled with amaterial from a hopper;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken transversely through a containerfilling apparatus according to another illustrative embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing the operation of sealing and cuttingthe area between individual packaging units;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative lay-out showing an embodiment of the inventionwherein a severance line is provided within the clamped area of acontainer constructed in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention showingapparatus for filling containers constructed in the manner to be fullydescribed.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 shows acontainer constructed in accordance with one form of the invention,positioned upon a filling apparatus and partially filled with a material15. The material is initially stored within a hopper 16 and is extrudedor forced through a horn cylinder 17 into the container 10 under theaction of an impeller means 18. The major portion of container 10 islongitudinally compressed over horn 17. Throughout the specification andclaims, reference will be made to the folds of the compressed container.It should be understood that folding, pleating, shirring, etc., may 'beused depending upon the material from which the container is made, thedimensions of the container, and the nature of the filling apparatus.

In the particular container shown in FIG. 1, an end closure 19 isprovided. Thus, as material is extruded under the action of impeller 18,it forces the container to extend. Clamping means 13 are provided atvarious positions along the container and hold together a predeterminednumber of folds, preventing their axial extension under the effect ofthe extrusion process. The amount of material retained by the clampingmeans 13 is determined by the amount of material required to effecttransverse closures of the containers. The length 11 between clampingmeans is determined by the amount of material to be packaged. Quiteclearly, the amount of material packaged will depend upon not only thelength but also the volume of the container and this depends upon theparticular cross-sectional shape used. Although FIG. 1 illustrates asubstantially tubular container construction, it is recognized thatother cross-sections may be employed.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which illustrates a container mountedupon extrusion apparatus after several lengths of the container havebeen filled. The apparatus includes a supply portion 20 terminating in acylindrical horn 23 that is connected to the supply portion via conicalsides 22. A means 21 which may be either a ram or screw-type impellersystem is employed to force material 24 through horn 23. The particularinput means for supplying material to the apparatus is neither germanenor shown. Container feed units are mounted upon the sloping sidewalls22, in at least two diametrically opposed positions. The unit shown inthe upper portion of the figure is typical and includes a stationarymember 25 rigidly secured in any appropriate fashion to wall 22, and areleasing member 26 pivotally attached to station ary member 25 at point27. A spring 28 is engaged at some stationary point, such as on member25, and also is secured to pivoting member 26. The end of member 26 isnormally biased in a downward position as a result of the compression ofspring 28. This end, 29, rests against the container material that hasbeen initially compressed onto horn 23. Underneath end 29, a projection30 on the external surface of horn 23 may be provided.

During extrusion of material 24 the pressure of the material actingagainst the end of the container causes it to stretch and it is pulledolf the horn between ends 29 and 30. It will be understood that thepressure of spring 28 and the shape of ends 29 and 30 are so arrangedthat a single fold is permitted exit at one time. Furthermore, it willbe appreciated that the clamping means 13 will also be permitted to passthrough the space between ends 29 and 30 as a single unit. Thus, thecontainer as it is extruded will appear roughly in the form shown in theright portion of FIG. 2.

It will be noted that the extreme right end of the container 10 in FIG.2 is shown clamped by means 41. The initial end section of any containermay either be permanently closed or closed after the container ismounted. In many instances, the containers are prepared as elongatedpleated tubes and after they are mounted upon the horn of an extrusiondevice, the end is sealed off. Thereafter the process of filling mayproceed. The particular manner in which the end is sealed may varygreatly and may employ any of the techniques that are conventional inthe art today. For example, a simple wire clamping means 41 may beemployed or, if the material is suitable for heat sealing, this may alsobe utilized.

As the container is filled it travels toward the right under theinfluence of the extruded material. Depending on the size of thecontainer and other factors, such as weight and supporting surfaceconditions, auxiliary equip ment or supporting members may also beemployed. In still other instances, such as where large agriculturalcrops are being handled, it may be deemed advantageous to move theextrusion or filling vehicle and leave the container on the field as itfills. There is no need for sealing off the individual packages untilsome time in the future when the labor or a more propitious time forperforming such a task is available.

When the individual packages are to be formed, it is simply necessary toremove clamping means 13 and stretch the previously clamped portions ofthe container. With reference to FIG. 3, it will be seen that thisstretching of the previously clamped portion leaves sufficient materialfor closing the ends of each unit. FIG. 3 illustrates the actual closurebeing effected at two points by the use of conventional twisted wire.After the closures have been completed, the portion of the containertherebetween is severed at point 40.

It will be appreciated that in order to most expeditiously subsequentlyseparate the packages, it may be desirable to provide initially for thisseparation by weakening the area to be ultimately severed, withperforations or the like. Thus, FIG. 4 illustrates a container 10adapted to be folded or crimped substantially along lines 45. The region46 is that which will be secured by the clamping means. Substantially inthe center of region 46 is a perforating line 47 which can be easilytorn apart. The clamping means is much stronger longitudinally than theaxial force exerted on the fabric, during filling and therefore there isno need for concern that the perforations will longitudinally Weaken thecontainer during the filling process.

Another apparatus for feeding material into containers of the typedescribed, is shown in FIG. 5. The apparatus in this figure issubstantially similar to that shown in FIG. 2, with the exception of adifferent container release mechanism. In the present instance, themechanism comprises a spring means 50 having an outwardly inclinedextension 51 at the end of horn 23. As a result of this extension on thespring means, as the container is forced forward during filling theextension tends to grip each fold of the crimped container untilsuflicient force is applied by the extruded material to force the foldinto axial extension. Once again, it will be noted that due to theunique provision of the clamping means 13 on the external surface of thecontainer, the entire clamped portion will be fed out at the same timeand the packaging process may proceed in the manner previouslydescribed.

The clamping means 13 may take many forms. Their function requiresstrength in the longitudinal direction of the container that issuflicient to prevent opening of the clamped folds during filling. Inaddition, they should be easily removable to conveniently facilitate theindividual packaging steps. The number of clamps used to secure aparticular plurality of folds is optional.

Several embodiments and aspects of the invention have been described. Itshould be understood that this invention is not limited to the use ofparticular materials nor to the employment of specific devices orapparatus. It is contemplated that modifications in regard to thesefeatures of the invention may be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and teachings herein. All suchmodifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. A container formed of elongated circumferentially closed sheetmaterial, the circumferential walls of said container being axiallygathered in successive folds, and axially spaced clamping means eachsecuring at least one of said successive folds against axial extension,such that alternate portions of said container are secured and unsecuredrespectively against axial extension.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the height of said folds isless than the transverse dimensions of said container.

3. A container according to claim 1, wherein said clamping means securesa plurality of successive folds and said plurality yields an extendedlength sufficient to effect transverse closure of two ends of saidcontainer.

4. A container according to claim 1, wherein said sheet material isaxially weakened approximately at the center of a clamped portion.

5. A container according to claim .1, wherein a plurality of clampingmeans are provided, said clamping means being axially separated by apredetermined amount to yield a known volume of space between theclamped portions.

6. A container having a longitudinal axis and at least one open end,comprising an axially compressible and expandible Wall, and axiallyspaced means securing preselected alternate axial portions of said wallagainst expansion.

7. A container according to claim 6 wherein said preselected portions ofthe walls secured in compression are expansible to a length sufiicientto effect transverse closure of two ends of said container.

8. A container according to claim 6 wherein each of said axially spacedmeans comprises a plurality of elements circumferentially spaced aboutsaid wall.

9. A container according to claim 6 wherein said container is formed offlexible material and said wall is axially compressed by creatingsuccessive folds exhibiting cross-sectional diameters of greater andlesser dimen- 10. A container according to claim 9 wherein said axiallyspaced means secure at least one of said successive folds against axialexpansion.

11. A container according to claim 10 wherein said axially spaced meansinclude an axially extending portion having a length substantially equalto the compressed length of the material secured thereby, and a portionextending substantially orthogonally to said axially extending portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 202,042 4/1878 Miller 138121 X2,010,626 8/1935 Dietrich 206-46 X 2,057,122 10/1936 Trevellyan 206-563,301,293 1/1967 Santelli l50.5 3,434,589 3/1969 Valtri et a1 ISO-.5 X

GEORGE T. HALL, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

